[Intermission] I am okay
If you have heard of what had happened in Japan, you might be worried about me. Yes, I am okay now. Yesterday while we were working, I felt the shaking. First I didn’t care that much, but it was getting very hard and finally I placed myself underneath the desk. The shaking lasted very long, it seemed to be so long. Things were messed up all over. The ceiling was nearly destroyed. If it were a bit harder, the ceiling would have been fallen down. My place was magnitude 6 and a bit.
Anyway, after the shaking we all got out of the office and got together at the park. We waited for the direction which announced what to do. The lucky thing is I am just a チャリリーマン so I could come home. But most people had to stay at the office because the trains were stopped.
My mobile has been out of order because of this earthquake, so I can’t contact my people. Hopefully I could speak to my elder sister and nephew. A few hours later I could reach to all of my family. My apartment was okay, and some things came out of the drawers or fell down. But it wasn’t a big deal. My computer is okay, so this is the only one way to contact now. My cosplay friends are saying they are okay on the bulltien board, so did I. And when I checked my mail, I got a lot of messages to make sure I am okay.
Once again, I am okay. I shouldn’t die here! Until I cosplay Gakupoid…I have a mission to give moe to all the anime fans. And I really want to say thank you for your concern. こんな私でも心配してくれるなんて…とても嬉しいです。
Love, bangin
[Intermission] Interview with bangin ―３周年記念スペシャル！④―
Once again, it’s been three years since I started this blog. I can’t believe myself, I mean, I didn’t really think I could blog for so long. But I am still doing this. That is, of course because I have my readers. So this time I got an interview which is for people who follow this blog in order to know about me more. Well, I am very honoured.
―Hi bangin, nice to meet you. Shall we start?
bangin: Nice to meet you, too. Sure, why not?
―First, congratulations for your third anniversary.
bangin: Ahaha～thank you very much.^^ Arigatougozaimasu. I never thought I could keep this blog for three years.
―So have you ever had any blogs?
bangin: Yes, I had some. I used to do anime review, but I gave up soon because I am not a good anime reviewer. No one came.
―So how did you start this blog?
bangin: Well, actually it is not my idea, but my friend’s. When I left a comment on her blog, that happened. I still remember that. I just said, Do you know what otomen means? She said no, and her friend came in to explain. And then she suggested I should start a blog which introduces otakish words, Japanese slangs, or that sort of thing. I didn’t think it would be cool because anyone can learn from wikipedia or other bloggers. However, I changed my mind. Maybe it would be nice because I am Japanese. Are there any Japanese bloggers who have done something like this? Maybe not. Not like wikipedia, Japanese otaku introduces anime-related words in English…that sounds good. So this is how I started this blog. Oh her friend suggested wordpress as anyone can comment easily. And as I blogged, some people came little by little. I was really happy because I didn’t have any comments when I did other blogs.
―I see. Speaking of English, how did you get your English?
bangin: My major at university was English culture or society…but I didn’t study at all. I seriously regret it. Anyway, I started to study English after I graduated. You can see my English level through what I have written, can’t you? It’s sucks, I always make a mistake.
―You speak English?
bangin: If I have to. But people who have spoken to me know how terrible my speaking is. If you speak slowly, I could catch it. Otherwise, I would be like (((;°Д°))).
―How did you study English?
bangin: I, well, used to go to the library to get some articles of the English newspapers such as Japan Times. And also listened to the radio. I didn’t want to spend much money to study.
―So you haven’t studied out of Japan?
bangin: Well, actually I spent a year in Vancouver, Canada. But it was, you know, Working Holiday.
―Working Holiday?
bangin: It is a kind of visa. You can work and live in a country you choose for a year. It’s pretty easy to get, not like a proper working visa. When I applied for it, the countries I could choose were Austrailia, New Zealand, UK, German, and Canada. I wanted to go as near as possible to America, so I chose Canada. In fact I made friends with her in Vancouver, I mean, who motivated me to start this blog.
―How do you enjoy your blog?
bangin: Well, I just introduce a term, people point out something…something I didn’t even think about. Readers are so smart. And I mustn’t say I don’t know. I should know what they ask. Otherwise, my blog is useless. But in other words, I even learn from them. This is, you know, to “share.” And when we have something in common, I feel it very enjoyable.
―You have met some of your readers, haven’t you?
bangin: Yes. They let me know before they came to Japan. I had so much fun with them. They are from everwhere like Singapore, New York, Mexico, and German…they are really nice. I feel it is good that I have my blog. I wish I could meet more people.
―Meanwhile, you are a cosplayer, aren’t you?
bangin: I am. I have been a cosplayer for…almost three years, too.
―How did you start to be a cosplayer?
bangin: Three years ago, when I went to Tokyo Game Show with my friends, I saw a lot of cosplayers. They all looked so cool, and…when I asked them a photo, they stroke a pose at once. They are in the character! And I feel like doing the same. It reminded me of when I was in the drama group.
―Drama group?
bangin: At university. I did an actor thing for two years. But I was never the lead, such a big part. I was always a minor part like a waiter B. In fact I really wanted to do a big part. I wasn’t chosen. Meanwhile, if you cosplay you can be anybody. You just cosplay the hero from your favorite anime, you are the hero. That’s it. You don’t have to be chosen. You just choose. Whatever is okay! I think I really enjoy cosplaying.
―Do you make your costume?
bangin: No, I can’t do that. I always buy at auction. And I can’t even cut a wig so I always have my friend who happens to be a hairdresser cut my wig.
―How do you choose your character?
bangin: I don’t know. But it seems like I tend to choose a cool character like Lelocuh, Saito Hajime[Hakuouki], Shironuma Tetsuo[sweet pool]…Kichiku Megane…
―Most of your cosplays are from otome games or BL games, aren’t they? Why?
bangin: I don’t know～＾＾ Come to think of it, I just pick up them. Maybe because I like them.
―Thank you very much, and is there something you want to say to your readers?
bangin: Oh yes. Thank you very much for following my blog. And I will keep up as much as I can! Let’s have fun together. これからもよろしくお願い致します！
Love, bangin.
[Intermission] Third Anniversary -３周年記念スペシャル！①-
Omg, just omg, it’s been three years since I started this blog! I can’t believe it, how could I do this? I had never blogged for a long time, but why have I been boing this? The answer is, yes, you readers. Because you are following my blog, such a damn blog in which Japanese otaku writes something with his not-so-good English and shows his cosplays.
Anyway, come to think of it I have had a lot of nice memeories thanks to this blog. For one thing, I could make friends with many people from everywhere. And I have even met some of them in real life like windbell, double, any other Singaporean I cosplayed with, Cat Clan, Hinano, and Tokyo Moe who kindly helped me with my cosplays. They are all so nice to me, and…they are so sweet memories. Thank you very much. And if you happen to be a lurker, I am gonna say, thank you.
And I do have to say thank you to my friend who suggested me that I should start this blog. She is a banker in Hong Kong, and a fangirl who always follows Japanese history-related anime such as Samurai Champloo. Currently, she is in love with Hakuouki[薄桜鬼] which is based on the otome game, and her favorite is this.
Saitou Hajime
He is Saitou Hajime[斎藤 一] who is a man of few words, but so loyal to the head of the brigade named Shinsengumi, Hijikata Toshizou[土方歳三]. I think she tends to love such a cool swordman, in other words a samurai[侍]. The spirit of samurai is kind of 萌え[moe] to her, well then? I must say she is quite a 歴女[rekijo], and loves a character voiced by Kousuke Toriumi[鳥海浩輔]. Anyway as I said, I must say thank you to her for motivating me to start this blog…so I decided to cosplay him.
But please know this; Hakuouki has several series, I mean not only the anime, but any other game series like 随想録[zuisouroku]. In the anime, Saitou wears 着流し[kinagashi], but he shows in a different costume in the other games. So I cosplayed the Western style[洋装] of it because I prefer it.
From last month, I prepared to cosplay him, buying the costume, a pair of the boots, a wig, and cut it. And of course I was trying to find a best photograher to take this cosplay. Because this time is really special. The person comes to my mind shortly, yes, he is the photographer who helped me when I did Durarara!!. I spoke to him to ask, but he was too busy to help me. Actually when I asked him, it was still the first of May. So that means I had to wait for about two months. But I still could make it on time, though…
The photographer took me to a certain big park in Tokyo. He loves to take cosplays there and Hakuouki really fits. He has even taken other Hakuouki cosplayers there. In this park, there is Japanese Garden[日本庭園]. I cosplayed Saitou for the first time…with the best photographer. You know, it’s been humid in Japan, so I was sweating a lot with this costume. But I didn’t really care. Because as I said, I was waiting for my turn coming for two months. After this session, I have no idea when the next time would come. So I did my best, I really did. After I finished, I realised my inner shirt was soaked with sweat.
Here is Japanese proverb, 心頭滅却すれば火もまた涼し[shintou mekkyaku sureba himo mata suzushi] or surpress your ‘self,’ even a fire is cool.
I shall dedicate this cosplay to my long-lasted friend, Wabisabi. Read the rest of this entry »
[Cosplay] I Love People!! -Durarara!! Part 1-
I am becoming nervous because I have had too many glad things since this year started. What is waiting for me next? Well, after I had a photoshooting of Durarara!! cosplay I was so disappointed to see the photos we took, because almost all of them were not good at all. Because of my camera? Yes. But the crucial reason is, I guess, the time when the photoshooting took place. I mean if you have watched Durarara!!, you would know from what time Shizuo and Izaya start to move, wouldn’t you? The lead school students are in active during daytime, but as for the two guys, those scenes in which they show are mostly at night. So that is why the photos look boring. Then what shall I do? Try again at night? That’s it, but it is not that simple because it is really difficult to take a photo at night. I needed a much better camera or someone who can handle something like this. One person came to my mind right away, yes, he is the photographer who helped me with my cosplays at the hotel. When he showed me his photos inside his camera, I saw some night shots and they looked awesome. I screwed up my courage and asked him to help me, and he said yes. Oh my god, lucky me! I immediately told my uke-partnerKeith who cosplayed Izaya about this…and this is how we had a photoshooting.
Around 18:00 or so, we three met up at Ikebukuro Station, and started a photoshooting. Because we started from that hour, there was almost no people who could recognise our cosplays as I guessed. And there were a few things I really wanted to do; a fighting scene and chasing scene. And some spots I really took; Tokyu Hands and Sunshine Cinema. We did it all! I was so pleased, and there was nothing else to wish for. Thank you very much, Izaya and the photographer! I will never forget this. Oh I shall explain one term, リベンジ[revenge] to mean to re-do the same cosplay to do better than before. My リベンジ went so well!! Read the rest of this entry »
[Intermission] Otaku and the City Ⅱ
My life has been hectics lately. Cosplay? Not only that but also other things like meeting new people. A while ago, I met up with the two bloggers from New York, and had fun together. Here comes another oppotunity; I got an e-mail from a Mexican blogger. He told me he was coming to Tokyo for honeymoon, and asked me to have fun. Of course I was on it. 嬉しいなぁ、えへへ＾＾
Last Saturday, we met up at Ueno Station[上野駅]. There the blogger Cat clan-san and his wife, Nanami-san were. Even though it was his first time visiting Japan, his Japanese was brilliant. He told he has studied Japanese for years, and both of them could read Japanese. I guess they could write as well. Cat clan-san really loves cats(neko-moe), so they went to Nanjatown in Ikebukuro to get a nekobag[cat bag] which is a symbol of it. Also he loves Chi Sweet Home. まさかちぃがメキシコで知られていたとは…（笑）Besides, he has been a fan of Sailor Moon for 14 years(!), and knows a lot about seiyu. His favorite is Megumi Hayashibara, Maaya Sakamoto, and Haruko Momoi. He said they were going to her event next day.
The cherry blossom was in full bloom, so we headed to Ueno Park to see. There were too many people to walk straight. But Cat clan-san took us to the spot where less people were. And we took some photos there.
With Cat clan-san.
Nanami-san
I didn’t forget to ask him to take my portrait because I didn’t want to miss this cherry blossom. Thank you very much.^^
桜の花びら散るたびに 届かぬ想いがまた一つ…
After that, we went to karaoke like I did with Hinano and her husband. You know, I must say karaoke is so popular among foreigners. Anyway, we are anime fans so what are we gonna sing? Yes, there is no need to explain. By the way, Cat clan-san knows some of the songs I chose; Get Wild from City Hunter, The Real Folk Blues from Cowboy Bebop, Hitorijanai from Dragon Ball GT, and Country Road from Mimi wo Sumaseba. And they were singing Blue Seed, Sakura Taisen, Kare Kano, and even Sister Princess! I guess they might be around the same age as me. We were singing some of those songs together. So fun! 超楽しかった！！＾＾
I heard a lot about Mexico from them, and how anime-related events are out there. Well, when I have a wonderful meeting like this, I always think it was nice that I’ve studied English. My English is sucks, though. Well, I’ve got to go on studying!
ありがとうございました。また来てね！！＾＾
[Cosplay] Kichiku Megane
Spring is here. But if you happen to be in Tokyo, you might think it is a bit odd because it is still very cold now. It should be warmer around this time, but why is it so chilly? I still turn on my air-conditioner when I get home. I hope it will be warmer soon because I haven’t seen the cherry blossom yet.
Speaking of Spring, most people start a new life. What about you? Start to work? Or a new semester begins? Me, go on working at the company. Nothing changes. By the way, I got a lot of mails from men’s shops. Most(?) young people would start to work so that they need a suit and tie. Well I felt like buying a new one so I went to the shop to do so. My suit seems to be a bit loose because I bought it when I enrolled the university. Don’t ask me how many years ago. 年は聞くなよ（笑）Anyway, when I dropped by the shop, I was a bit surprised because most suits seemed to be slim-fit. So I immediately bought one because I could use it to keep my physique. I am a cosplayer, so that I ought to care about that kind of thing. When I tried it out in front of the mirror, it showed my body’s shape clearly…こ、これは太れない! At any rate, I just thought of cosplaying someone in suit…Oh yes, there is him.
He is Saeki Katsuya[佐伯克也] in Kichiku Megane[鬼畜眼鏡]. Does anyone know this? Let’s abbreviate it as kichimega. Well, he is a salaryman who works for Kikuchi Marketing. Since he is such a wimp, he can’t work as he likes. When he feels disappointed at a lonely park, a mysterious man speaks to him. The man shows him a pair of glasses, and says,”This will change your life for sure.” Yes, the glasses change anybody into kichiku…that is kichiku megane!
I laughed a lot upon hearing this. Well, I like such a bit funny story. Since most of the characters in kichimega are salarymen, this BL game is classified as リーマンもの[reeman-mono]. I guess the reason why this kind of genre is popular among fangirls is リーマン is a men’s society where ladies can’t get in. Even though men and women are working together in the same office, there seems to be a invisible border between them. If there is a fujoshi in the office, how does she use her yaoi filter? In my division, there are only six people including me. And there is one lady. What if she is a fujoshi…? lol
What am I talking about!? Let me talk about this cosplay. In the hotel I had a photoshooting, I cosplayed Katsuya for the first time. This cosplay was so enjoyable because I acted two modes; normal and kichiku. That means I acted a masochist and a sadist, in other words, seme and uke.
In case you don’t know this game, I shall upload the OP here. Don’t worry, there is no BL scene. The cosplay photos, too.
[Cosplay] Hardest Task
As I have said before, my cosplay friend and I had a photoshooting of Durarara!! last Saturday. If you happen to follow this anime, you would know where we are in the photos. We actually tried to choose lonely spots where no people came, but as this place is well-known among Durarara!! fans, some of fujoshithe pedestrians watched us, saying like,”Omg, are they Shizuo x Izaya!? Kyaaa!!” “Can I take a picture!?” when they passed by. It was our first time cosplaying this seires together, but we found it so difficult because this story takes place at night most of the times. Besides, must-show spots such as Tokyu Hands or Sunshine are full of people so we had no chance to take. Of course we considered having a photoshooting at night, my camera doesn’t work with no light at all. I need a better lense, or someone who can handle this. I have lots of shots I really want, like a fighting scene by Izaya and Shizuo. Well, this is our task. Even though costume is so simple, it doesn’t mean that’s an easy cosplay. The more simple costume is, the more difficult cosplay would be. But believe me, we will cosplay this again. Yes, for sure. 「見栄っ張りだねぇ、シズちゃんは」「臨也ァ！黙れつってんのが分かんねぇのかァァ！？」 Read the rest of this entry »
[Cosplay] Without End
It is not uncommon that cosplayers have a digital single lense camera and other items like a reflection board. They try to make it gorgeous as much as possible so that it could be regarded as “art.” Camera work is important, and so is a filming place. When I join a cosplay event, I always get flyers that advertise some fabulous hotels where you can have a photoshooting. Those hotels are really awesome; Western, Chinese, and Japanese-style, even fantasy-like rooms are available. A hotel like a palace goes so well with Code Geass, and Chinese-style hotel is good for Fushigi Yugi or Saiunkoku monogatari, and so on. However, I couldn’t have a chance to join this kind of event because only a group is allowed to join(at least more than five people). I don’t have enough cosplay friends, so I had to give up.
But one day, a friend of mine decided to try this and started to get some people. A good chance is coming! I immediately asked her to add me, and I was allowed to go. Uwaaaah!!
So last Sunday, I went to the hotel in Kanagawa Prefecture. We(seven female cosplayers and me, like a harem!?) met up at the station and headed to the hotel. And as I saw the room on the website, the decoration was so awesome. There were a handsome stairway, two bedrooms, a gorgeous bathroom and so on. The girls cosplayed Lelouch and Suzaku from Code Geass, and I cosplayed him.
A bishounen on the left is Tsukimori.
He is Tsukimori Len[月森 蓮] in Kin’iro no Corda-primo passo-. If you have followed my cosplay, you would know that I have cosplayed him for a couple of times. Why have I cosplayed him so much? Because I love him although he is not my No.1. My top 3 is Naoe Nobutsuna in Mirage of Blaze, Shironuma Tetsuo in sweet pool, and Nagisa Kaworu in Evangelion. Tsukimori is actually No. 4 or 5. But I am sure I have cosplayed him the most so far. I don’t know why. どうして好きなんだろう？
Anyway this time, I cosplayed three versions of him. Those are so simple, but I really wanted to do. And onece again, this hotel goes so well with Corda. I was so pleased to cosplay there. Read the rest of this entry »
[Cosplay] Once in a lifetime -一期一会-
What’s goin’ on? I mean, I am starting to be nervous because glad things have happened to me too much since this year. Last year I was in despair because of too much misfortune, but now my life has been recompensated. I am so happy now, and my heart is full of joy. Well, about a year ago I had a photoshooting with the professional photographer, Jun Takahashi who has taken some cerebrities such as Robert De Niro, Shidou Nakamura, Toshiaki Karasawa, or Yuko Takeuchi. I just thought such a wondeful meeting would never ever happen, but…it actually happened again. Last Saturday morning, I got an e-mail from him. He told me that there were still some rooms for models so that I could join the photo session on Sunday. Basically, he doesn’t take the same model more than twice, but…why? Why did he do such a glad thing? I am so honoured, there is nothing to wish for. Oh no, I could even cry! So I immediately grabbed the costume, and headed to a certain studio in Harajuku…The character I cosplayed was him.
He is Heiwajima Shizuo[平和島静雄] in Durarara!![デュラララ！！]. I think so many of you know him because this anime is still on the air. Also it is one of the most famous and popular anime this season. Actullay I didn’t follow this anime, but my cosplay buddies suggested that I cosplay him because they wanted to do this anime. Hey, he apparently looks like a shady guy. Like a host at the nightclub or a bartender. However, as I knew about him I started to like him. He is the scariest man in Ikebukuro so that most people are scared of him. Though he is gentle most of the times, he can’t control his temper when he gets upset. Even he pulls out a vending machine and throws at an enemy. I am not that powerful, though(笑). The reason why he always wears a bartender uniform is that…yes, I like him. Anyone has a story, of course such a scary gangster. Oh no, I love him now.
The session was so fabulous. Most of the staff in the studio still remembered me although a year passed. When I came in, they said, “Ah that cosplayer!” or something like that. The executive said, “I still remember you because your performance was interesting. And you are the first male cosplayer. We have taken a lot of cosplayers, but none of them did anime characters…so you are very first, even now.” Mr. Takahashi said, “I like how you are in the character when I see you through the lense.” The session had just fifteen minutes. Every time he took a shot, it made me feel alive. I burned my soul in the photos, really.
By the way, my cosplay buddy is going to do Orihara Izaya who Shizuo really hates. Please wait for a week. We are actually planning to do a photoshooting together. Now there is only my Shizuo, sorry! Read the rest of this entry »
[Intermission] Otaku and the City -オフ会にようこそ!-
Spring is here in Japan. It is becoming warmer and warmer, so I didn’t need to wear my coat. Oh no, it is March, isn’t it? Spring is a season when something ends and a new thing starts. You have to say good-bye to your friends, but new people are waiting for you…
Anyway, this Spring is going to be busy because I have some plans to meet up with guests from foreign countries. Today, I met up with the two guests from New York in Ikebukuro; Hinano and her husband, JP. And there was one more person who they brought, and he is from New Jerseyあ～お名前を忘れてしまった！ Omg, sounds sooo cool! I wish I could go. Can I sound like Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City?
Ikebukuro Station
The couple is staying in Tokyo for a week, and will leave soon. If my schedule had met, I could have gave them a tour in Akihabara or elsewhere. But now that they are in Tokyo, I should go and see them. So as soon as I finished the work, I did 5時ダッシュ in order to go to Ikebukuro. I haven’t seen them, but they have seen my cosplays so they could find me easily. It was around 19:30, so I took them to Japanese restaurant, 大戸屋[Ootoya]. It looks like a pub[izakaya], but not really. This is a resutaurant where not only salarymen but young girls go. And I think the quantity and the price are so reasonable. If you pay 700 yen or so, you can have a set(main dish, rice, and miso soup). They ordered chicken, I hope they liked it. I heard a lot about American otaku conventions from them and their stories, it was so interesting. Hinano follows seiyus and otome games; Daisuke Kishio, Daisuke Namikawa, Starry Sky, Miracle Train, Brothers-koi suru oniisama-, and so on. I know some anime fans are learning Japanese with anime or manga, and some of my friends can speak so fluently. So is Hinano. I really really respect them. 俺も見習わないとなぁ…
Ootoya
You can have a nice meal at 700 yen (6$) or so.
Utahiroba
If you want to enjoy all night long, here is the cheapest, I think.
これは英語で何て言いますか？
Do you have an idea which anime this is?
After the dinner, we went to karaoke. To my surprise, they already knew how to use the device to find a song you want to sing. How do you call this? They were singing as they wanted. Needless to say, they can read Japanese lyrics. JP was singing Sen no kaze ni natte[千の風になって], and trying to copy the original, I mean, it was like an opera singer. I have never seen a non-Japanese singing this song in this way, and I don’t think I will be able to see in the future. Just this once. This is the legend for sure.
Time flies. I really wanted to have fun with them more, but I had fun so much. Please enjoy the rest of your days, and I hope you guys would come again! 楽しかった、また来てね！＾＾
You can read their travel diary here.
Japanese words of anime fans, by anime fans, for anime fans 